Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  Can You Ignore The Ride? - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By ryan2006 - March 27 - 11:36 pm

  Ive had my Sportage for approx 1 month and 1000 miles. I traded in a 2010 Mazda 3 Grand Touring. The Sportage was the closest I could get to the 3s handling, performance and options. However, the 30k price tag was a bit hard to swallow. I really feel like I took a huge leap of faith buying a Kia...especially awith a $$ that could get me almost any other CUV out there. The warranty is great, but who wants a vehicle that needs to be in the shop alot. I only have two complaints: 1. The ride is rough. 2. Satellite reception is extremely spotty. So far, happy with the purchase. I just hope Kia is ready to deal with customers expectations of those spending 30K on a vehicle.

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  Love it - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By BPO - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Test drove a lot of the competitors and felt this was the best value for its class. I have an automotive background and initially I looked down on the KIA. After test driving, Ive changed my views. The 6 cyl is a must. Like the design and currently have zero issues. My previous two FORDS had a list started of warranty work for the same time period. Waiting for snow to see how the AWD system will compare to our Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have the white pearl exterior, black interior. Looks great when its detailed.

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  Just got it - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By purpleletha - March 24 - 6:56 am

  I just got my kia a few days ago, and i just love it its a cute little car and im falling more in love with it everyday. I about to dress it up with some tint and u aint gone be able to tell me nothing!!!! lol

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  Sedona Du Jour - 2009 Kia Sedona
  By MtnExplorer - March 23 - 6:56 pm

  I drove this vehicle under all conditions on all kinds of roads rangine from sea level to 10,000 and found it to be much better than expected. I carried heavy loads that frequently approached maximum design limits. This minivan did very well as a cargo and people carrier. Passengers were surprised by the quiet, composed ride, even at 80mph. One friend, after we were under way at night on CA S.R. 14 had to ask what make the vehicle was. He just didnt expect the smooth, quiet ride he was getting. Head and cross-winds didnt bother it much. Torrential rains and temps. from 20 to 105F were handled well. Kept up well with an RX-9 up Tioga Pass from US 395. Very well balanced.

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  Fun to drive but disappointing fuel economy - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By Eddie H. - March 23 - 6:23 am

  I bought one of these about a month ago. I wanted a smaller SUV for my family, its me, my wife, and two toddlers. Comfort of interior is pretty decent and we love the steering wheel (really comfortable). Ride quality is firm but I like it, I dont understand how anybody would want a "loose" suspension/ride. We got a pretty big snow storm recently and it did great and the AWD didnt even kick on. Its a very easy vehicle to drive, the only two complaints I have are the gas mileage is not as good as Id like it to be, it averages out to around 22mpg. The second is that it can be hard to see any other vehicles when changing lanes. Overall Im pretty happy with it and I think it was a pretty good buy, I would recommend it to anybody.

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  kia spectra 03 - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By robert9018 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  good family car for the low budjet

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  fun ride - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By db4022 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  So far Ive enjoyed the Sorento it is the second vehicle Ive ever owned and compared to my last (a truck) it is very comfortable and quiet.Im also impressed with the build quality from the interior to exterior.The only think that is negative is the fuel mileage,which I figured since it weighs as much as a ford explorer it has alot of good metal weigh-which makes me feel really safe driving it-so a little extra change for the gas bill you get a good feeling of security from the vehicle.

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  SO-so, not sure Id buy again - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Y. J. - March 23 - 1:20 am

  Gets you from here to there. Fun to drive. NOT a hot rod, so dont expect one. Good on storage for long trips. Have to get out and stretch every couple hundred miles. Can carry 4x8 sheets. Kia was good about repairing while under warranty (minor body rust, CD/radio, AC condensation on passenger side). Gas tank rusted out after 7 years and 85,000 miles, Kia would not replace and would have cost me about $1200 - 1500 to replace. Not worth it.

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  MPG - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By KIA Sedona - March 21 - 11:23 pm

  I cant believe the mileage I get 14 mpg city. I live in Florida and the ac is on all the time . But I should get better than that . May-be not on second thought . The tack reads 2,500 at 70 miles a hour . My sons car reads 1,800 at 70 mph . When they rev that tight ( 2,500 ) I cant see any increase in mileage . A friend of mine bought a 06 with the same problem. (he got rid of the Kia ). I installed a ne kn filter . Maybe I can get an increase . Going on the highways this week . Stand by .

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  I love my van - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Stacey W - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I am a 31 yr old guy with no kids. I just wanted a vehicle to carry loads of people if I wanted or if I wanted to be able to carry something big. I was choosing between the van and an SUV. I am happy with my choice, I only wish that it had the leather seats. My mom and stepdad have a chrysler town & country and I like the way this drives and rides better, they were even impressed about how well it rode, even in the 3rd row seats. I am impressed how quiet the engine is, even when cruising along at 75mph.